The filmmaker, whose classics often adapt literary works like those of Femi Osofisan, says Nollywood must reconnect with books to preserve its creative depth and cultural relevance.
Kelani Warns: Nollywood Risks Creative Decline as Reading Culture Fades
Speaking with The Nollywood Reporter, veteran filmmaker Tunde Kelani cautioned that Nollywood’s shrinking engagement with literature could threaten its creative strength and cultural value.
Known for adapting the works of celebrated playwright Femi Osofisan, including his latest release, Cordelia, Kelani noted that some of his most enduring films—Ti Oluwa Ni Ile, The Narrow Path, and Dazzling Mirage—were born from books.
“You cannot do adaptation without loving literature,” Kelani said. “Literature is a superior art to cinema itself, and when we lose that connection, our films lose the depth that makes them truly memorable.”
He expressed concern that many younger filmmakers are abandoning books in favor of trend-driven stories, warning that this shift could limit Nollywood’s storytelling power. “There’s a danger in chasing trends without grounding,” he added. “If we stop reading, we stop thinking deeply, and Nollywood cannot afford that.”
For Kelani, reconnecting with literature is not just about preserving tradition but about ensuring the industry remains bold, imaginative, and globally competitive.
His upcoming projects, he hinted, will continue to draw inspiration from Nigeria’s rich literary heritage—a legacy he hopes emerging filmmakers will embrace.